The name "apps for SharePoint" is changing to "SharePoint Add-ins". During the transition, the documentation and the UI of some SharePoint products and Visual Studio tools might still use the term "apps for SharePoint". For details, see New name for apps for Office and SharePoint.

Let's say you have a killer idea for an app. In this section, we'll guide you through the design decisions you need to make and offer best practices to build your app. For example, what makes a good user interface? What are the app "shapes" available? When should I use one instead of another? What options do I have for data access?

Because the Cloud App Model in SharePoint 2013 makes so many design options possible, apps for SharePoint can come in many shapes and sizes. This section contains helpful guidance for some of the most important decisions that you need to make as you are planning and designing the architecture and user experience of your app—including how you will host your app, how your app will efficiently and securely access data, and what the user experience will be.

Apps for SharePoint support multiple hosting options. You can choose your own web stack, have Microsoft provision Microsoft Azure and SQL Azure, or have the app hosted on SharePoint. Table 1 contains resources that can help you choose the right hosting model for your app.

Table 1. Resources and guidance for choosing the right hosting model for apps for SharePoint

You must ensure that your app accesses data efficiently and securely. Various data access technologies are available for accessing SharePoint and working with data in your app. Table 2 provides resources to help you learn about your options and choose the one that is right for your app.

Table 2. Resources and guidance for choosing the data access technologies to use in apps for SharePoint

Learn about data access options you have when you build apps for SharePoint, including data connectivity options for inbound and outbound data scenarios, and the APIs that are available when you want to access SharePoint data from your app.

As you design your app, your real goal should be to create an experience that enables users to complete the scenarios that you intend for them to accomplish. In Table 3, discover the resources and design guidance that you need to build great apps that follow best practices for user experience design and have the familiar appearance and behavior of SharePoint 2013.

Table 3. Resources and guidance for designing a great user experience for apps for SharePoint

Someday you may want to produce an update of your app and upload it to the Office Store or an organization's app catalog. That task will be a lot easier if you think about how you would update the app while you are designing the first version. We recommend that you read the following articles early in the design phase: SharePoint Add-ins update process and Update SharePoint Add-ins.